Cash in on your clutter at the Garage Sale Trail - Sat 22 Oct 2016
Sunshine Coast households, schools and community groups will have the great chance to declutter and make some money at the same time by joining hundreds of thousands of people across the country on Saturday, October 22 as a part of the sixth annual Garage Sale Trail.
Last year, Garage Sale Trail sellers on the Coast pocketed an average of $318 with total sales for the region on the day surpassing $61,000.
Community and Environment Portfolio Councillor Jenny McKay, who was among the buyers last year, has made a donation to the sale being run by Sunshine Coast Independent Living Service at Nambour which will be one of the local community groups taking part on October 22.
Cr McKay said the Garage Sale Trail offered the unique opportunity to promote reuse and recycling as well as community building in a fun and creative way.
“Sunshine Coast Council is proud to again be actively involved in bringing this national initiative to our residents,” Cr McKay said.
“Garage Sale Trail helps people to think creatively about how we can reuse items that might otherwise be put out for waste collection and possibly end up in landfill.
“It’s a great chance to do a good, old-fashioned cleanout of items you no longer want or use.
“The sellers and buyers in previous years have also found the sale day to be a fun and social way to get to know your neighbours and connect with the broader community whilst raising money for yourself or others.
“Now is the time to pencil Saturday, October 22 into your diary and prepare for a fun day of buying and selling.”
The first 2500 sellers in participating council areas who register before September 25 will receive a free promotional pack to maximise their garage sale’s success.
Garage Sale Trail co-founder Darryl Nichols believes the event’s popularity is due in part to the fact that it provides motivation - and a deadline - for individuals and families who want to declutter.
“Garage Sale Trail attracts those who are looking for some motivation to declutter and get organised in preparation for the warmer months ahead,” Mr Nichols said.
“From the time they register for free online at www.garagesaletrail.com.au, sellers have about four weeks to prepare for the big day of simultaneous garage sales around Australia so there’s the benefit of a deadline in sight – no procrastination allowed.”
In 2015, there were 13,191 sales/stalls registered nation-wide representing 3.7 million items listed for sale/reuse at a value of $12.3 million.
BACKGROUND
Garage Sale Trail is a not-for-profit community enterprise founded in 2010 by Andrew Valder and Darryl Nichols. The program aims to promote reuse, waste education and community building. Now in its sixth year, Garage Sale Trail is supported by more than 150 local councils reaching over half of the Australian population. In 2015, more than 350,000 people were involved with almost 3 million pre-loved items for sale from over 13,000 garage sales and stalls. The average seller made over $300 and created 22 new community connections on the day.
2015 STATISTICS
- 13,191 registered garage sales
- 33,527 participating sellers
- 350,934 total participation
- 2.8 million items listed for reuse
- 160,427 new community connections made nationally
